Fair-week weather a mix of sun, storms, cold

A look through newspaper archives will likely confirm enough is written about the weather during the week of the St. Joseph County Grange Fair, but it would be tough to overlook the unusual way the 162nd fair ended Saturday.After a washout Friday night, Saturday appeared no more promising with a hard rainfall – and even some thunder and lightning – in the morning.

A look through newspaper archives will likely confirm enough is written about the weather during the week of the St. Joseph County Grange Fair, but it would be tough to overlook the unusual way the 162nd fair ended Saturday.

After a washout Friday night, Saturday appeared no more promising with a hard rainfall – and even some thunder and lightning – in the morning.

“We decided about 11 o’clock this morning we’d just come and tough it out if it didn’t get any better,” said Edwardsburg resident Betsy Burks, a first-time visitor to the St. Joseph County Grange Fair who was joined by her husband, George, children Kylie Bennett, 8, and Allyssa Bennett, 7, and nephew Sawyer Burks, 5, of Mishawaka. “As it turns out, we made the right decision.”

By early afternoon, the sun was out and the grounds dried, leaving the morning downpour a distant memory.

Fair officials and long-time patrons of the Centreville-based event know the pattern is typical during fair week.

The fair ended on a high note Saturday, with Alan Jackson wowing a sold-out crowd in excess of 5,000 people.

Between the opening-day weather, which brought out crowds decked in T-shirts and shorts, cold weather midweek and a damp ending, the state’s second-to-last county fair still managed to bring in a strong crowd. Fair Manager Bill Johnson said official numbers are expected to be released at some point today.

Isabelle Suter, a Chicago resident, made her debut at the fair Saturday. The first attraction for the energetic 14-month-old and her family was a trip to the petting zoo. Suter was welcomed by a swarm of goats, thanks to the handful of carrots she maintained.

Meanwhile, Constantine residents Brandon and Nevada Riley – accompanied by a trio of excited children, ages 9, 7 and 5 years – had fun watching their two daughters and nephew decide which of the kiddie rides they planned to hit first. The three worked on cotton candy while deliberating.

Brandon Riley said his mind was set on mini-donuts while his wife was confident the Wisconsin Cheese stand would be her first food stop.

Games were on the agenda for Centreville residents David and Ginger. Carrying stuffed gorillas as if they were their own small children, the two said they had good fortune Saturday.

“I won the water-gun balloon game and Ginger won it playing a few quarters on the pick-the-color game,” he said.

By the time the sun set Saturday, fair-goers started showing up with winter coats, gloves and hats.

Marcellus resident Terrance Roach said he bundled up in advance for the Jackson concert.

He said it would be an abnormal week if the fair didn’t have sunny days and cool nights.

Page 2 of 2 - “It’s just like going to a (high school) football game, you dress for the weather so you don’t have a miserable time,” he said, decked out in oversize Carhart bibs, a winter coat and knit cap.